[Bulgaria]Bulgarian Culture Minister Bashes Gay CommunityBulgaria's Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov has controversially slammed the gay community in an interview for a local magazine."I find the gays to be the most unpleasant community, since they combine the worst qualities of women and the most despicable qualities of men," Rashidov has told Biograph.Rashidov's revelation came after he was asked whether he behaves in an authoritative manner towards women."I am not a domineering person, but I have a strong personality. I love it when women have a womanly nature...I can't stand it when a woman looks like a transvestite," the Culture Minister also said.

[China]Banned on TV But Loved OnlineIn September, Chinese dancer Jin Xing （金星） posted on her Weibo account that she has been banned from judging a television program because of her transsexual identity.Despite her professional skills, many people think transsexuals should not appear in the media, since they pose a moral threat among adolescents. In Jin’s opinion, this is pure prejudice caused by a lack of understanding and awareness. Her post drew wide support.

[Pakistan]Fighting against the stigma of transgenders in PakistanFOR thousands of years, Pakistan’s transgender community have suffered prejudice and persecution.There are more than 80,000 transgenders across the country, and until recently, this group of people have been prevented from getting legitimate work or voting as they had not been recognised by the authorities and were denied identity cards.

[Canada]Sudbury shelter subject of human rights complaintA transgender woman has filed a human-rights complaint against a Sudbury women's shelter.Jessica Larabee — who is transitioning to female from male — claims the YWCA asked her personal sexual questions and then turned her away.

[USA] [Commentary]CeCe McDonald Jailed for Alleged Violations of Conditional ReleaseAccording to a press release from today, Minnesota trans woman CeCe McDonald has been jailed relating to alleged violations of her conditional release.McDonald was the victim of a racist and transphobic attack in June of 2011, during which one of her attackers was killed. McDonald alone was charged in the incident and remained in jail for several months without adequate medical attention to wounds sustained during the attack until supporters were eventually able to bail her out in October.

[MD, USA]Maryland to take up marriage, trans billsBills calling for legalizing same-sex marriage and banning discrimination against transgender persons are among the hot-button issues set to emerge next week when the Maryland State Legislature begins its 2012 session.

[MO, USA] [Commentary]Media Should Show More Respect in Reporting About KillingDee Dee (born Darnell) Pearson was shot multiple times and died on Christmas Eve near 43rd and Troost. Kenyan Jones, an alleged john, was arrested and charged in the killing. Because of the use (or abuse) of pronouns in this sad event, the slaying has received attention from The Advocate and GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).

[NY, USA]NYPD Daily Blotter (1/6/2012)ManhattanA transgender prostitute was sexually attacked by a john at the busy Third Avenue Bridge in East Harlem, the victim told police.The 27-year-old hooker told cops she rebuffed the unidentified, middle-aged man at about 11:50 p.m. on New Year’s Eve near the bridge, which connects upper Manhattan with The Bronx.As she walked home across the bridge to The Bronx, the john accosted her and sodomized her in plain sight, sources said.The victim told cops she fought off the vicious attacker, ran back to East Harlem and told a friend known as Yum-Yum about the harrowing ordeal. She then dialed 911.The suspect fled and remains at large.

[OH, USA]World's Tallest Transsexual Lindsey Walker On Shoes, Taboos And TattoosLindsey Walker used to be a 7ft tall basketball player called Greg.Until she reached 21, Walker had muscles, dated a string of pretty girls and got a "manly" tattoo.With his good looks, regular weight lifting sessions, and size 17 feet, no one would have guessed that Walker secretly longed to come out as the woman she felt she should be.

[PA, USA]Morris 911 transcript still an issueLast month, the city’s Police Advisory Commission received records in the Nizah Morris case from the District Attorney’s office, but PAC members still want to know if the D.A. has a 911 transcript.

[UT, USA]Monthly transgender health clinic opens in MidvaleA transgender and gender-queer clinic will be held monthly starting Jan. 27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Greenwood Clinic, 7495 S. State St., Midvale. The clinic will be presented by Dr. Rixt Luikenaar, a Netherlands native, who is a practicing physician in obstetrics and gynecology and has extensive experience with transgender patients.